Career Timeline of Max Fried: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Max Fried built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Max Fried is an American professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the New York Yankees in Major League Baseball (MLB). Before joining the Yankees, he played for the Atlanta Braves. He is known for his pitching skills and contributions to his teams' performances in MLB.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2012: Professional Debut

In 2012, Max Fried made his professional debut for the Arizona League Padres.

2012: Signed with the Padres

In 2012, Max Fried signed with the San Diego Padres for $3 million despite his commitment to the UCLA Bruins baseball team. Baseball America rated him the top left-hander available in the draft.

2012: Drafted by San Diego Padres

In 2012, Max Fried was selected by the San Diego Padres in the first round, seventh overall of the MLB draft.

2013: Played for Fort Wayne TinCaps

In 2013, Max Fried played for the Fort Wayne TinCaps, compiling a 6–7 record and 3.49 ERA in 23 starts.

December 19, 2014: Traded to Atlanta Braves

On December 19, 2014, Max Fried was traded to the Atlanta Braves.

2014: Traded to the Braves

In 2014, Max Fried was traded to the Atlanta Braves.

April 9, 2016: Returned to action for Rome Braves

On April 9, 2016, Max Fried returned to action for the Rome Braves, spending all of 2016 with the team.

August 5, 2017: Called up to Atlanta Braves

On August 5, 2017, Max Fried was called up to the Atlanta Braves.

2017: Arizona Fall League Player of the Week

At the end of the 2017 season, Max Fried joined the Peoria Javelinas of the Arizona Fall League, for whom he was named league Player of the Week on October 31.

2017: MLB Debut

In 2017, Max Fried made his MLB debut with the Atlanta Braves.

2017: Spring Training and Southern League Pitcher of the Week

In 2017, Max Fried was invited to spring training for the first time and was named Southern League Pitcher of the Week for the week ending April 30.

2018: Joined Gwinnett Stripers and Called up to Atlanta

In 2018, Max Fried began the season with the AA Mississippi Braves before joining the Gwinnett Stripers and being called up to Atlanta in April.

2018: Considered for Fifth Starter

In December 2017, Braves manager Brian Snitker indicated that he might consider Max Fried as the team's fifth starter in 2018.

2019: Leader in National League

From 2019 to 2021, Max Fried led all National League pitchers in wins (38), was tied for the lead in shutouts (2), and led NL pitchers in runs (18), doubles (7), on base percentage (.292), and WAR (1.3) on offense.

2019: Second-Most Wins in National League

In 2019, Max Fried achieved 17 wins, which was the second-most in the National League.

2019: Stats for 2019

In 2019, Max Fried had a 17–6 record with a 4.02 ERA, striking out 173 batters in 165.2 innings. His 17 wins were second in the National League.

2019: Moved to Starting Rotation

In 2019, Max Fried was placed in the bullpen at the start of the season and later moved to the starting rotation. He was hit on his left hand by a ball hit by Alex Verdugo during a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 7.

2019: Added Slider to Repertoire

Since 2019, Max Fried has added an 85-mile-per-hour slider to his pitching repertoire.

2020: Pandemic-Shortened Season Stats

During the pandemic-shortened 2020 regular season, Max Fried had a 7–0 win-loss record with a 2.25 ERA. He led the major leagues in won-loss percentage (1.000) and pickoffs (4), led the National League in WAR for pitchers (2.9), was 2nd in the NL in Wins Above Replacement.

2020: Second-Most Wins in NL

In 2020, Max Fried's seven wins were again the second-most in the National League.

July 4, 2021: Pinch-Hit Walk-Off Single

On July 4, 2021, Max Fried had a pinch-hit, walk-off single against the Miami Marlins.

August 20, 2021: First Complete Game Shutout

On August 20, 2021, Max Fried pitched his first career complete game shutout, a Maddux, against the Baltimore Orioles.

2021: Leader in National League

2021: World Series Title

In 2021, Max Fried pitched 6 shut-out innings in the final game of the World Series against the Houston Astros, helping lead the Atlanta Braves to their first World Series title in 26 years.

2021: Named to All-MLB Second Team

In 2021, Max Fried was named a starter on the All-MLB Second Team, marking his second consecutive All-MLB selection.

2021: Won NL Silver Slugger Award

In 2021, Max Fried won the NL Silver Slugger Award, given to the best offensive pitcher in the National League. He became the third MLB pitcher to win both the Silver Slugger and Gold Glove awards in the same season, joining Mike Hampton (2003) and Zack Greinke (2019).

2021: Won the Final Game of the World Series

In 2021, Max Fried won the final game of the World Series with six shutout innings against the Astros.

2021: Curveball Lowest Batting Average

In 2021, Max Fried's curveball resulted in the lowest batting average (.160) against him.

2021: Stats for 2021

In the 2021 regular season, Max Fried had a 14–7 record with a 3.04 ERA (9th in the National League), and his 14 wins were 5th in the NL. He threw 2 shutouts (leading the league) in 28 starts.

2022: Named Opening Day Starter and All-Star

In 2022, Max Fried was named the Opening Day starter for the Braves for the second consecutive year, his salary was set at $6.85 million through arbitration, and he was selected to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game roster.

2022: Wins Gold Glove Award and All-MLB Team Selection

In 2022, Max Fried won his third straight Gold Glove Award, becoming the first Braves pitcher since Greg Maddux to achieve this. He also finished second in the voting for the NL Cy Young Award and was selected to his third consecutive All-MLB team at the end of the 2022 season.

2023: Regular Season Performance

During the 2023 regular season, Max Fried had an 8-1 record with a 2.55 ERA, which was the second-lowest in the major leagues among pitchers with at least 14 starts. In 14 starts, he had one shutout and struck out 80 batters while giving up 18 walks in 77.2 innings.

2023: Best Career Win-Loss Percentage

Through 2023, Max Fried had the best career win-loss percentage of all Braves pitchers, at .705.

December 17, 2024: Signed with New York Yankees

On December 17, 2024, Max Fried signed an eight-year, $218 million contract with the New York Yankees. It was the largest contract issued to a left-handed pitcher, and the fourth-largest deal for any pitcher, in MLB history.

2024: Signs contract with Braves

In 2024, Max Fried and the Braves agreed to a one-year $15 million contract. In his season debut, the second game of the year against the Philadelphia Phillies, he recorded only two outs. On April 23, Fried pitched a complete game shutout against the Miami Marlins. He pitched a scoreless inning for the NL team in the All Star Game.

2024: 2024 Season Statistics

In 2024, Max Fried had a 11-10 record with one shutout in 29 starts. He led the NL in ground ball percentage (58.8%) and had the second-lowest exit velocity (86.3 mph) and percentage of "hard speed" contact induced (26.1%). Fried received a qualifying offer from the Braves at the end of the season, but he declined.